James E Penney

James E. Penney, 89

U.S. Air Force, Ret.


James E. Penney, 89, passed away, surrounded by his family, on August 20 in Alamogordo, NM. He was born on Saturday, March 17, 1923 in Arbala, Hopkins County, TX to Joseph Asberry and Ethel Annie (Martin) Penney.

He enlisted in the US Army in 1941 and served in the South Pacific during WWII until April 1945. He re-enlisted as a charter member of USAF in 1947 and retired in 1965. He worked for the Dept of the Army at WSMR from 1965-1978 in missile flight safety.

Mr. Penney was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over fifty-four years. He was active in the Sacramento No.24 in Alamogordo where he was Worshipful Master in 1989, and a 32 degree, KCCH member of the Scottish Rite in Las Cruces, and was a Shriner. He was also Past Master of the Mountain Top Daylight Lodge #81 in Timberon, and a member of the Tularosa Lodge.

He was very knowledgeable and well read in US presidents, baseball, automobiles and aircraft, and earned a private pilots license.

He is survived by his wife of 62-1/2 years, Florene Smith Penney of the family home; his sons; Eddy Penney and wife Terry; Dan Penney and wife Joyce; his daughter, Joan Hawkins and husband Roger; daughter-in-law, Vickie Penney; numerous grandchildren, and he loved each and every one of them.

He was predeceased by his son, Jary Paul Penney in 2009; his parents and his brothers and sisters.

Memorial services will be August 24, 2012 at 11:00am at the Sacramento Lodge #24 Masonic Temple, 1100 Vermont St.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Masonic Charity Foundation, PO Box 25004, Albuquerque, NM in James Penney's memory.

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